The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator (IV), has authorized a Complex Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Commonwealth, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) announced today.
This grant makes FEMA grant funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling eligible fires in Harlan, Knox, Letcher, and Pike counties.
Governor Matt Bevin declared a State of Emergency due to the wildfires on November 3rd and the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center, located in Frankfort, has been working closely with the Kentucky Division of Forestry, state agencies, American Red Cross and the private sector coordinating response to the fires.
“This is positive news for the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Division of Forestry, our Cabinet partners and local officials who have been fighting these fires for weeks,” said KYEM Director Michael Dossett. “This has been a costly team effort and the assistance is greatly appreciated!”
Eligible costs can include labor, equipment and supplies used for fighting the fire and costs for emergency work such as evacuations, sheltering, police barricading and traffic control.
“This fire is a major threat to lives and property in the commonwealth and responders need resources and personnel to battle this fire,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech. “FEMA has approved this grant to make sure every available resource is at their disposal.”
As of Sunday, there are 24 active wildfires burning on state lands, consisting of 17,765 acres, being managed or monitored. To date, there have been 316 fires, with approximately 48,214 acres burned through wildfires in the Commonwealth on state lands since Oct. 27.
Currently 100 counties have enforced burn bans, restricting all outdoor burning. Officials urge citizens to abide by the burn bans and be extremely cautious in all outdoor activities.
(story provided by Kentucky Emergency Management)
